Survey Places Island Firm As 9th Largest Security Company In BC
Footprints Security has 45 mobile patrol vehicles to protect clients across Vancouver Island
VICTORIA – Rising crime rates and public security concerns are not good news, but it’s a challenge that Footprints Security is well positioned to help with.
Now in its 43rd year in business, Footprints has 400 employees and 45 mobile patrol vehicles to protect clients across Vancouver Island, and is now the ninth largest security company in the province, according to Business In Vancouver.
Footprints Security President and CEO Simon Collery
“We’re busy for sure, as the safety concerns are not going away, and it’s becoming more challenging,” says President and Chief Executive Officer Simon Collery, who leads the company with his partner and brother, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Adrian Collery. “We’re definitely seeing a pretty big growth in our mobile patrol, although the guard requirements are changing. Over the past five or so years, we’re seeing construction security moving from guards to cameras, and now there is more demand for camera responses and mobile patrols as part of that.
“We’re now providing high profile guard works for cities, municipalities and retail centres, as demands for the services we provide is definitely increasing.”
Collery notes Footprints has been working in Victoria since 1997 and they have a branch office in the city.
“We have the largest and most experienced mobile patrol fleet (10 daily mobile patrol vehicles) servicing Victoria and the Capital Regional District communities,” he states. “Along with mobile patrol and alarm response we offer uniformed guard, camera monitoring and response services.”
Footprints provides 24/7 client and staff support throughout Vancouver Island as well as monitoring, dispatch and lone worker check-in and support. They have also entered into a partnership with Securco for CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) monitoring and response.
“Securco installs CCTVs on a construction site or at a condo, and we will monitor it for them and provide the response,” says Simon. “We established our SOCC (Security Operations and Communications Centre) in Nanaimo two years ago, and we’re providing local monitoring, not from back east.”
Adrian Collery is Vice President and COO at Footprints Security
Simon and Adrian’s parents, Sarah and Michael Collery, founded the company in Qualicum Beach in 1980. Their head office is in Nanaimo, with branches in Victoria, Duncan, Parksville, Courtenay and a new office on 14th Avenue in Campbell River.
Footprints also recently purchased Castle Security in Powell River.
They provide service in Port Alberni.
“Powell River is a similar model to what we have in Port Alberni,” Simon points out. “We don’t have an office in Alberni, but we knew the owner in Powell River as he used to work for us before he started his own company. We thought we should take the opportunity, and there are less than 20,000 people that live there, so we think we’re positioned well to service the area.”
Like many companies, Footprints Security is looking to add more employees to their team.
“We’re feeling the labour crunch that everybody is feeling, and it’s changing the dynamic for providing service,” he says. “The jobs we have are very rewarding as the business is all about protecting people and their possessions and property.”
By Mark MacDonald
